No ‘stealth’ action assurance over lighthouse beam plans

No ‘stealth’ action assurance over lighthouse beam plans

8 April 2015

THE Commissioners of Irish Lights have said there will be no “stealth” removal of the famous St John’s Point Lighthouse beam.

Captain Robert McCabe, CIL’s director of operations and navigations, was responding to this week’s protests from local people who feared its removal over the quiet Easter holiday period.

CIL wishes to replace the antique sweeping lamp with a modern LED light, arguing that the lamp is a health hazard as it rotates in a bath of mercury.

“I would like to reassure people that whatever happens at St John’s Point won’t happen by stealth,” said Captain McCabe.

“We will keep the community and public representatives fully informed. Otherwise would not be our way or our nature. We see ourselves as part of the community up there.”

In a letter sent to MP Margaret Ritchie yesterday CIL’s chief executive, Yvonne Shields, also said they had taken “careful note” of the issues raised by residents at a public meeting in Ardglass last month and were considering them. She pointed out that a planning process was required for any work done by them at the lighthouse.

“While this consideration is underway we will not lodge any application for listed building consent which is the next step in the project,” the letter reads.

CIL’s proposals emerged back in January. Commissioners have argued that upgrading the aids to navigation systems at St. John’s Point will “significantly contribute” to the preservation and presentation of the history of the lighthouse. 

Unconvinced protesters arrived from dawn on Easter Monday to man the road leading to the landmark lighthouse following speculation that the holiday period could be used to deactivate the famous sweeping beam.

Imelda Keeling, who has lived in Killough for 45 years, was among around 50 protesters who gathered at the Rossglass Road South junction on Easter Monday.

“It is obviously a navigational aid but it is also something that definitely adds to the quality of the landscape,” she said of the light. “Just because you can do something does not mean you should. Just because the technology is there does not mean you have to do it.”

Artist George H. Smyth said the sweeping beam was an integral part of the character of the coastline that inspires some of his own art work.

“There has always been a connection between my family and the lighthouse,” he said. “My father and lighthouse keeper Henry Henvey worked together and as wee boys me and my brother would go up to the top of the lighthouse and Henry would show us the beam. As a child I would see the beam in my bedroom in Ardglass hitting the wall at night. Now I live at the other side of the peninsula where I have my studio I still see it. It is a great connection to have.

“We do live in a democracy and we don’t have to accept this light being taken away.

“We collected nearly 200 signatures from people passing by. It was a great exercise in raising awareness as half the people who stopped didn’t know anything about it.”

On Monday campaigner Willie Mulhall said Monday’s protest was about “being ready” and residents would be maintaining a presence over Easter. Mr. Mulhall, who has already handed over a petition over 1,200 signatures to CIL, said their protest would be peaceful but they intended to speak directly to whoever may be commissioned to carry out work at the lighthouse.

Mr. Mulhall and a group of local residents have outlined their concerns in a letter which they intend to hand over to any CIL workers and planners.

“We are informed that the special, large Fresnel lamp at St. John’s Point requires less mercury in its float than others, and the mercury is safely enclosed in a sealed cast iron trough at the top of the tallest lighthouse on the island of Ireland,” the letter reads.

“It is safely managed at St. John’s Point Lighthouse, and also in other lighthouses which are tourist venues such as Split Rock in Minnesota.”

In the letter residents also argue that the LED light would be a “significantly weaker beam” (18 nautical miles as opposed to the current 25 nautical miles) and “inadequate” in some situations such as rain and mist.

They say Ardglass fishermen feel “rightly aggrieved” as for years they have been paying ‘Light Dues’ when fishermen in the Republic of Ireland have not, and their views have not been taken into consideration.

“CIL have had responsibility for the Lighthouses of the entire island of Ireland so why are our fishermen so disadvantaged?” the letter continues. “Naturally they feel they have some ownership of the Light.

“St John’s Point Lighthouse has cultural and historical associations with the Titanic, The SS Great Britain, Brendan Behan and Van Morrison. The sweeping beam is a far greater asset as a tourist attraction than displaying a defunct ‘heritage’ Fresnel lamp could ever be.”